Wednesday, June 27, 2018

27 June 2018




“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]
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“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12]


Presbyterians Week Headlines




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WASHINGTON, June 26, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Supreme Court handed the pro-life movement a victory in the case of NIFLA v. Becerra, stating that the California law, called the Reproductive Fact Act, forcing pro-life help centers to promote abortion was unduly burdensome to free speech rights and was therefore unconstitutional.

The following quote is attributable to Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue:
 
We are grateful that the First Amendment Right to Free Speech has prevailed and that pro-life pregnancy centers will be protected from forced promotion of abortion. Those of us with deeply held beliefs that abortion is a moral injustice now cannot be forced to capitulate to an unjust government demand that we promote this human rights abuse.

We are grateful to Tom Glessner and the National Institute of Family and Life Associates (NIFLA) for bearing the burden of challenging this unconstitutional law.


+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Operation Rescue, Post Office Box 782888, Wichita, Kansas 67278, 800-705-1175, Fax: 916-244-2636, info@operationrescue.org




MONTGOMERY, Ala., June 26, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Foundation for Moral Law ("the Foundation"), an Alabama-based nonprofit corporation dedicated to religious liberty and the strict interpretation of the Constitution as intended by its Framers, applauded Tuesday's U.S. Supreme Court decisions in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra and Trump v. Hawaii.

"Today is a great day for America and for the Foundation for Moral Law," said Foundation President Kayla Moore. "The Court upheld the Constitution today in two very important cases in which we had filed amicus briefs. We are pleased that the Court rebuked California for trying to force right to life advocates to speak a 'pro-abortion' message and that the Court defended the President's prerogative to keep this country safe, by certain restrictions on travel from other countries."

NIFLA v. Becerra

In NIFLA, the Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that a California law requiring pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to provide information about how to obtain state-sponsored abortions violated the First Amendment's Free Speech Clause. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion, holding that the law was unconstitutional because it regulated the content of the pro-lifers' speech and made them speak a message with which they disagree. Justice Thomas noted that the Court sometimes allows the government to require medical providers to disclose certain information, but that is permissible only when the information is factual and noncontroversial, which was not the case here. Justice Thomas's decision aligns with the Foundation's amicus brief, which argued that the law was a content-based restriction on free speech and also a form of compelled speech.

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote a concurrence, joined by Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Alito, and Justice Gorsuch, expressing alarm that the California law appeared to target only the pro-life viewpoint and was therefore an attempt by the government to suppress a particular message with which the government disagreed. Justice Kennedy emphasized that "Governments must not be allowed to force persons to express a message contrary to their deepest convictions." Justice Kennedy's arguments aligned with the Foundation's argument that the law was not only a content-based regulation of speech but also targeted the speakers because of their viewpoint.

John Eidsmoe, Foundation Senior Counsel who authored the brief, said, "Of all the forms of free speech violations, forcing someone to say something controversial with which they deeply disagree is perhaps the worst. Through the course of history, people have chosen to suffer and even die rather than betray their convictions. The Supreme Court's decision today reaffirms that freedom of speech is still alive and well in the United States."

Matthew Clark, the Foundation attorney who submitted the Foundation's amicus brief, added, "The Court's decision not only upheld the right to free speech, but it also indirectly upheld the religious rights of many of these pro-life advocates who do their work because they believe life is a gift from God. The Foundation believes that also, and we are pleased that the Court's decision today will help save innocent lives."

Trump v. Hawaii

In Trump, the Court upheld in a 5-4 decision a proclamation by President Trump restricting travel to and from countries that pose a national security risk to the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, rejecting the argument that President Trump's proclamation was really a "Muslim ban" and reaffirming that the Court must grant great deference to the President's decisions on national security matters.

Chief Justice Roberts's decision reflected the Foundation's argument that the President's travel ban was not an Establishment Clause violation. Foundation Senior Counsel John Eidsmoe said, "The original purpose of the Establishment Clause was to prevent the government from coercing people to violate their religious beliefs. That wasn't the purpose of the President's proclamation. As we established in our brief, the ban applied only to certain nations that were centers for terrorism and failed to 'vet' terrorists.  Most Muslim nations and 86% of the world's Muslim population are not affected by the ban, which also included two non-Muslim nations (Venezuela and North Korea). This really was a national security case, not an Establishment Clause case. We are pleased that the Court agreed."

In a concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas addressed the fact that the Hawaii district court issued a nation-wide injunction in this case, arguing that the constitutionality of nation-wide injunctions is "dubious." Justice Thomas argued that judicial power is the power to settle disputes between the parties to the case, which is different than giving orders that bind the entire nation. The Foundation raised the same point in its amicus brief.

Explaining that point, Foundation attorney Matthew Clark said, "If an unelected and unaccountable federal district judge can issue an order that binds not just the parties to the case but everyone in the country, including those who live outside the district court's jurisdiction and who have no opportunity to be heard in the case, then we no longer have a constitutional republic but a dictatorship. The Supreme Court needs to address whether nation-wide injunctions are unconstitutional, and we are glad that Justice Thomas is calling the Court's attention to the problem."


+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Foundation for Moral Law, Post Office Box 4086, Montgomery, Alabama 36103, 334-262-1245, Fax: 334-262-1708, Info@morallaw.org



By Emmanuel Ogebe, Special to ASSIST News Service

NIGERIA (ANS – June 25, 2018) -- In a 60-hour killing spree that began last weekend about 200 Christians were slaughtered in Plateau State even as the US Ambassador At Large for IRF was departing Nigeria.

Ambassador Sam Brownback’s one-week visit was pockmarked with 6 suicide bombings by Boko Haram in one day (the largest single day detonations), deadly Shiite clashes with the police, altercations between local Muslims and a community and continuing killings by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen.

The grand finale of this perfect storm of violence was the triple digit massacre in Plateau State. https://viewpointnigeria.com/despair-as-death-toll-of-barkin-ladi-killings-reaches-106/?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C7541351262

Overnight, I have been inundated with photos too gruesome to share here of horribly mutilated bodies of children brutally macheted to death and macheted still after death for maximal horror effect, charred corpses and bodies stacked in mass graves.

Already the Fulani have justified this heinous crime against humanity http://scannewsnigeria.com/news/plateau-killings-are-retaliatory-says-miyetti-allah/

The sad thing is this is not the first time nor the last. In 2012 when Fulani’s massacred over 60 Christian villagers in Plateau State, an executive of the same cattle rearers group said the same thing. I wrote to the Attorney General and asked, “This man has admitted the crime. Why hasn’t he been picked up?” He is still free till today. After the New Year Massacre in Benue State, again they admitted it. No one has been arrested.

Worse still, some of the communities attacked this weekend were attacked previously. In fact one of them was part of the notorious 2010 Dogo Na Hawa Massacre in which 500 Christians were killed. That massacre 8 years ago spurred me to launch the Justice For Jos project and that has evolved to covering Boko Haram atrocities. Ironically the Herdsmen atrocities have continued unabated while Boko Haram hogged the spotlight.

Sadly all of this occurred while Nigeria’s President Buhari was busy holding a party convention in his bid for re-election. Early last week I got distress messages from of our local workers that he was trapped outside the orphanage because of an ongoing Herdsmen attack. However President Buhari deployed over 5000 policemen for his security at the party convention and the killings built up until the massacre despite the early warnings.

We hear reports that mass burials are being ordered by the authorities to hide the true casualties.

At this point the Plateau massacre this weekend looks likely to be the third worst in the 8 years in which I have tracked Herdsmen attacks.

1.     Dogo Nahawa 500 killed March 2010 Plateau State
2.     Agatu 300 killed February 2016 Benue State
3.     Barkin Ladi about 200 Plateau State June 2018


It is disconcerting that a small Muslim minority can so terrorize Christian majorities in Benue and Plateau state because of their monopoly of violence. The great danger is if Christians choose not to take it anymore. Friends and family have been appealing for evacuation since last night as Muslims are amassing. However, Plateau is where most Christians from the far north flee for safety so where does everyone one now go?

One of my learned colleagues informs me that Rocket Propelled Grenades were used in these attacks. I am waiting on the evidence but if true, this is not the first time either.

I will keep you updated while I ask your prayers for this unraveling situation.


+ Assist USA, Post Office Box 609, Lake Forest, California 92609, 949-380-1558, danjuma1@aol.com





Wednesday, June 13, 2018

30 May 2018



“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]
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“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12]


Presbyterians Week Headlines
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The Moderator-designate for the 2018 General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) is the Rev. David Blunt, minister of the Free Church Continuing congregation of North Uist & Grimsay.
Born in Essex in 1958 and brought up in Hampshire, Mr. Blunt studied Environmental Science at the University College of Wales, which was followed by research at Dundee University.
Finding the naturalistic explanation for the universe implausible and the evolutionary account of man’s origin inadequate, he then read the Bible for the first time. The result was an awareness of the holiness of God, a sense of personal sin and a longing for forgiveness. Helped by the witness of
Christians he met through the providence of God, by divine grace he came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in 1983.
His conversion led to opportunities to serve the Lord, including assisting at a city mission and teaching part-time at a Christian primary school. Sensing a call to the gospel ministry, Mr. Blunt attended the Free Church College for three years as a private student. In 2000 he was inducted by the Free Church Continuing as an Evangelist / Church Planter based in Aberdeen and in 2007 accepted a call to the North Uist & Grimsay congregation in the Western Isles. He has served both as a Presbytery Clerk and Clerk to Assembly Committees.
Editor of the denominational magazine Free Church Witness since 2017, Mr. Blunt is also the author of Presbyterianism, published by the Free Church (Continuing), and of Which Bible Version: Does it Really Matter?, published by the Trinitarian Bible Society.
Married to Sybil, who comes from Point in Lewis, he enjoys reading, walking, and gardening.
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“Yet another example of the Government overreaching its locus and interfering in family life”
…says Free Church Continuing Committee In a report to the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) meeting in Edinburgh 21 – 24 May 2018 the denomination’s Committee on Public Questions, Religion, & Morals assert that the Scottish Government, in promising to “ensure” that a Member’s Bill to implement a ban on smacking  [spanking children] becomes law (despite earlier assurances to bring forward no legislation on this subject), is overreaching its locus and interfering in family life. The Committee report that sadly, on the basis of responses from MSPs, the legislation appears to have widespread support amongst politicians, despite more than seventy percent of Scots believing an outright ban is not necessary. A copy of all the Reports coming before the General Assembly can be found at:
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ORGANIZATION
Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home (CPCH) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1904 in Kentucky. In 1932, CPCH moved to Denton, TX. The mission of CPCH is “In response to Christ’s love and example, we serve children and families by providing healing and hope.” CPCH is one agency with interrelated services to over 900 people annually through Residential Care (Children’s Emergency Shelter, Children’s Residential, Single Parent Families Residential) and Non-residential Care (community counseling & classes). The annual operating budget is $2M+. There are 40 paid staff and a very active intern and volunteer base. CPHC is a silver-level GuideStar participant for its commitment to transparency, and voted Best of Denton County for Non-Profits in 2017 (Murray Media Group).
POSITION
CPCH is seeking a collaborative and courageous leader who has demonstrated experience in strategic management; able to develop and communicate a vision of the future, set priorities and produce measurable long-term results; have demonstrated ability to head successful fundraising efforts and cultivate relationships with donors, community leaders, and foundations; be an exceptional communicator, motivator and leader of staff and volunteers; be able to build strategic alliances with other nonprofits and community organizations; have experience in business planning, developing and operating budgets and managing nonprofit finances.
PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS
The President/CEO shall serve as a corporate officer and is charged with the overall responsibility of fundraising as well as managing, directing, and supervising the program, personnel, resources and properties of CPCH.  The President/CEO implements and administers policies established by the Board of Trustees.  The President/CEO is authorized by the Board of Trustees to conduct business for the corporation which includes the receiving and disbursing of funds, entering into contractual agreements, and representing CPCH at denominational, professional, and community meetings. Reports to the Board of Trustees.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Build a fund development strategy to strengthen and diversify funding sources. Create marketing and outreach strategies using technology and social networks to increase visibility of the organization. Cultivate strong relationships with key donors including individuals, foundations, churches and corporations. Seek and secure financial resources through gifts, wills, bequests, trusts, grants, campaigns and other approved methods of fund raising.
Direct supervision of the Vice President and others, including recruitment, employment, training, promotion, evaluation, and termination.
Prepare the annual budget for Board consideration and approval.  Promulgate regular Board reports concerning financial, program, and personnel activities.  Manage all CPCH resources with accountability in mind. (Exception would be those resources handled by other entities such as Board of Stewardship, Foundation, and Benefits of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.)
Produce annual audits by a reputable auditing firm for Board review and approval.  Submit audit to any other authority as required and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Ensure that the Agency operates within all legal requirements.
Provide assistance to the Board of Trustees in carrying out their responsibilities.  Keep the Board informed about changes in policy and program, legal and economic impacts, and future directions.
Work with Board committees and officers in the planning and preparation for meetings, minutes of actions taken, and information for all of the Board.
Develop a strong relationship with the Board Chair and Board members.
Work collaboratively with the Board in the development and implementation of strategic goals and the organization’s vision for the future. Provide timely and accurate data for effective Board deliberation and decision making.
Prepare and complete reports as required for Cumberland Presbyterian Church, agencies with whom CPCH contracts, and others as necessary.
Represent CPCH at the meeting of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly, Red River Presbytery meetings and other Presbyterial meetings as needed.
Responsible for implementing the Strategic Plan adopted by the Board of Trustees.
Represent CPCH in local, state, and national activities through membership and involvement in professional, civic, denominational or other associations.
Any other responsibilities as assigned by the Board of Trustees.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Educational: Master’s degree required; Doctoral level degree preferred.  (Degree in Non-Profit Administration, Human Services, or Business Management field is a plus).
Skills: Proven track record in raising money for agency/organization.  Demonstrated ability to provide effective administrative leadership in personnel, financial, public relations, trustee, denominational, and governmental relationships.  Ability to speak and write persuasively.  Ability to manage in crisis situations, think clearly, and keep the CPCH focused on its goals.
Experience:  Minimum of five (5) years of executive experience preferred, related to childcare programs, personnel, and/or financial resource development.
Other:  Eligible to become licensed under Texas Law as a Licensed Child Care Administrator preferred.
Christ-Centered Leadership.
Must relocate to Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
Travel required.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE POSITION
Proven record of successful fundraising.
Must be a positive Christian role model.
Able to visually and auditorialy supervise staff.
Must be able to be insured through CPCH vehicle insurance company.
Able to provide transportation for clients, staff, donors, etc.
Able to maintain a flexible work schedule.
Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Must have high tolerance for stress.
Must be self-motivated with good organization and time management skills.
Qualified candidates should email cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: execrecruiting@cnmconnect.org Subject: Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home Executive Search.
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Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place, CordovaTennessee 38016, 901-276-4572, Fax: 901-272-3913
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Contact: Troy Newman, President, 316-683-6790 ext. 111; Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Vice President, 316-516-3034; both with Operation Rescueinfo.operationrescue@gmail.com   
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ —  The U.S. Department of Justice has informed Operation Rescue in a letter dated May 11, 2018, that abortionist Douglas Karpen has finally been forwarded to the FBI Houston Field Office for “any action deemed necessary” related to crimes that include the murder of living babies after failed abortions.
The case actually began in 2012, when four women who worked at Karpen’s Houston area abortion facilities contacted Operation Rescue with information that he was violating the law. Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Vice President of Operation Rescue, received photos of large babies that one Karpen employee had taken at his abortion facility with her cell phone that workers said had been born alive then killed by slashing or twisting their necks.
On May 15, 2013, Operation Rescue released a report along with the photos that supported allegations that Karpen was murdering babies that survived the abortion process. Other alleged crimes included sexual harassment and/or abuse of employees and patients.
That report and ensuing complaints prompted a grand jury “investigation” that declined to indict Karpen. Operation Rescue later learned that grand jury was tainted by improper communications between then District Attorney Devon Anderson and Karpen’s criminal defense attorney Chip Lewis, who were close family friends. Lewis later donated $25,000 to Anderson’s political campaigns.
Operation Rescue then forwarded the information about Karpen’s alleged crimes to the U.S. House Select Panel on Infant Lives that was tasked in 2015 with investigating evidence that Planned Parenthood was engaging in the illegal trafficking of aborted baby remains for profit.
On December 7, 2016, the House Select Panel referred Karpen to the Department of Justice under former Attorney General Loretta Lynch for investigation and prosecution. In 2017, the House Select Panel renewed its criminal referral of Karpen to the DOJ under Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Sullenger wrote to Sessions in August 2017, asking for him to open an investigation into Karpen’s alleged crimes, especially the allegations that he murdered babies born alive during abortions.
“The letter I received from the Department of Justice is encouraging. The photos depict wounds inflicted on those babies that could not have been done inside the womb. After having personally attended the Pennsylvania trial of Kermit Gosnell, who was convicted of murdering living babies after failed abortions, I knew we could never give up seeking prosecutions for Karpen’s similar crimes,” said Sullenger. “We are grateful for this new FBI investigation that has renewed our hope that Karpen may finally be brought to justice.”
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America.
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Operation Rescue, Post Office Box 782888, WichitaKansas 67278, 800-705-1175, Fax: 916-244-2636, info@operationrescue.org
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13 June 2018



“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]


“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12] 


Presbyterians Week Headlines


Contact: Rev. Steven Andrew, USA Christian Church, 877-537-8734

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 6, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christians are praying for President Trump to repent for hosting a Muslim Ramadan dinner at the White House today. For "our national security," Rev. Steven Andrew asks Christians to confess President Trump's Muslim Ramadan sin to receive God's forgiveness. Andrew is the author of "Save America" and leads One Million Americans on the LORD's Side.

"President Trump hosting a Ramadan dinner is sin according to the Bible. False god celebrations, such as Israel having a feast with a molten calf, bring judgment to the country. Israel went into captivity," said Andrew. He referenced Exodus 32 and Deuteronomy 8:19.

Andrew doesn't blame President Trump, but spiritual advisors giving advice against the Holy Bible. Andrew is usually one of President Trump's strongest supporters.

"This sin angers God, because the Quran teaches God does not have a Son, which is denying Jesus Christ. How would you feel if someone mocked your son?" he said.

"Jesus died on the cross for our sins and is the only way to the Father. So this is a great sin and for protection must be confessed," he said.

Andrew explained the nation saw God's judgment of political corruption (the swamp), unprotected borders and job losses since Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama had Muslim events and other sins.

"President Trump must know serving the Lord only is the secret to draining the swamp, secure borders and peace with North Korea," he said.

Andrew explains how to end judgment in the riveting book, "Save America."
 He shows, disobeying God causes the judgments of:

1.     The swamp: "they that hate you shall reign over you" Leviticus 26:17.
 
2.     Unprotected borders: "the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies" Nahum 3:13.
 
3.     Anti-patriotism: "The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low." Deuteronomy 28:43

"Last year President Trump didn't have a Ramadan dinner, and look how the economy recovered and the swamp weakened," he said.

Andrew is leading the nation to reaffirm covenant that the USA serves the Lord with One Million Americans on the Lord's Side.

"I don't think President Trump knows he is sinning, but it is probably a deal to negotiate with the swamp," he said.

Andrew "hopes President Trump repents, because this is adultery to God" (James 4:4).


+ USA Christian Ministries, 2059 Camden Avenue #280, San Jose, California 95124, Contact Page



The following is excerpted from Christian Headlines, Jun. 4, 2018: "The U.S. Supreme Court handed religious liberty advocates a major victory Monday when it sided with a Christian baker who refused to design a wedding cake celebrating a same-sex marriage. In a 7-2 ruling in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy ruled that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission demonstrated hostility toward religion and violated the First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty when it ordered the baker, Jack Phillips, to design wedding cakes for same-sex couples. Phillips owns a Colorado bakery, Masterpiece Cakeshop. 'The Civil Rights Commission's treatment of his case has some elements of a clear and impermissible hostility toward the sincere religious beliefs that motivated his objection,' Kennedy wrote. '... The Commission's hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendment's guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion.' Religious liberty groups applauded the ruling. 'Jack serves all customers; he simply declines to express messages or celebrate events that violate his deeply held beliefs,' said Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Kristen Waggoner, who defended Phillips before the Supreme Court. 'Creative professionals who serve all people should be free to create art consistent with their convictions without the threat of government punishment.' Waggoner added, 'Tolerance and respect for good-faith differences of opinion are essential in a society like ours. This decision makes clear that the government must respect Jack's beliefs about marriage.' In a conference call with media members, Waggoner disagreed with other legal experts who were calling the ruling 'narrow.' 'This case will affect a number of cases for years to come,' she said."


+ Way of Life Literature, Post Office Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, 519-652-2619, fbns@wayoflife.org



The following is excerpted from "Report: 'Praying, Singing Hymns, and Reading the Bible' Can Lead to Prison Camp," CNSNews.com, May 30, 2018: "Weeks before President Trump is expected to meet with Kim Jong Un, a State Department report issued Tuesday painted a grim picture of religious freedom abuses at the hands of the Stalinist regime--including 'executions, torture, beatings, and arrests' of people of faith. The report said that some of the up to 120,000 North Koreans being held in prison camps 'under horrific conditions' were incarcerated for religious reasons. It cited North Korean defectors and international non-governmental organizations as reporting that 'any religious activities conducted outside of those that were state-sanctioned, including praying, singing hymns, and reading the Bible, could lead to severe punishment, including imprisonment in political prison camps.' A South Korean NGO had recorded 1,304 cases of religious freedom violations carried out by North Korean authorities during the year in review, including 119 killings and eighty-seven disappearances. Detentions accounted for another 770 of the incidents. ... 'An estimated 80,000 to 120,000 political prisoners, some imprisoned for religious reasons, were believed to be held in the political prison camp system in remote areas under horrific conditions.' It cited a religious freedom advocacy group, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, as saying the regime often applies a policy of 'guilt by association,' targeting not just Christians but detaining their relatives as well, irrespective of their own beliefs. The envisaged Trump-Kim summit in Singapore is focused on the crisis over North Korea's nuclear weapons programs and related security concerns. But rights campaigners are urging the president to put human rights on the agenda too. ... State Department ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback said, 'The president is right on point on North Korea. He's very engaged on this, as you know. The Secretary [of State Mike Pompeo] is very engaged on this. And I think they're raising all of these issues,' he said. ... Brownback recalled that during his days in the Senate--he was a Republican senator from Kansas from 1996-2011 before serving as governor of Kansas--he raised concerns about North Korea, 'but you couldn't get anybody to act.' 'Well, this president is acting and he's taking this issue on, even though it's threatened us for years, if not decades.'"


+ Way of Life Literature, Post Office Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, 519-652-2619, fbns@wayoflife.org